Over a fifth of the 400 teenagers using a Dublin-based counselling service last year had mental health problems and half of those counselled were using alcohol, a new report revealed today.
Teen Counselling, a service provided by the Dublin Diocese Agency, Crosscare, provided help to 400 families in crisis last year, according to its annual report.
Half of all teenagers who sought help were abusing alcohol and 23 per cent were using drugs, the service said.
Teen Counselling annual report 2006
A total of 17 per cent were cannabis users. More than two thirds of the teenagers using the service were under 16. Some 27 per cent of the teenagers smoked and were largely young girls.
Most of those who were drinking were usually involved in 'binge drinking' at weekends, an increase of 7 per cent on the previous years.
"The increase in the levels of alcohol abuse by clients of the service has been prevalent for many years and shows no sign of stopping," the Teen Counselling report said.
"The majority of young people were referred to the service by mothers seeking help for teenagers with behavioural problems."
Director of the service Mary Forrest said it was "a matter of serious concern" that there had been a 25 per cent increase in the number of referrals for mental health problems.
"After their first meeting with Teen Counselling, staff noted mental health problems as a significant issue for over a fifth of clients. Depression and incidents of self-harm were the key factors involved," Ms Forrest said.
A total of 55 per cent of referrals came from the mothers of the teenagers who used the service.
Teen Counselling deals with a broad range of issues, including young people who are in trouble with the Garda or school authorities, as well as those with substance abuse problems.
The majority of the 489 teens and families who came for help to the service last year (56 per cent) came from families outside the 'traditional model' where both parents are living in the home.
Teen Counselling provided over 6,000 hours of free counselling last year. The organisation has been operating for over 30 years in the Archdiocese of Dublin.
Director of Crosscare Conor Hickey paid tribute to the 400 teenagers and their families who put their trust in the service and whom he said were "brave enough to seek out our help when they were vulnerable".